The IBA Annual Conference held in Minneapolis, MN, September 19-20, 2008, was a jam-packed weekend of activities for IBA members. Beginning with a tour of the Anagram International facility on Friday morning, distributors then moved on to attend a full afternoon of one-on-one visits with manufacturers in private showrooms while retailers attended a trio of business building sessions conducted by LaDonna Belcher of Time to Party, Mark Zettler of Balloons and Parties Magazine, and Dale Moore of Andon Balloons.


Associate members test and rate new products rolled out in 2008. Members awarded the "Associate's Choice" to Silver Rainbow's new Holey Box, an innovative balloon sizing tool.

After an entertaining evening of dining at the Tucci Bennuch restaurant in Mall of America on Friday night, all participants settled into a Saturday agenda filled with two keynote speakers, Thomas Winninger and Paul Kiewiet, sharing many ideas on how to change the customer conversation from price to value and enhancing the customer experience.
            
Thomas Winninger  (see video)                                   Paul Kiewiet

             
Norma Roberts of Pioneer and Jaqui Bennoch of                New owners Lynn Urry and Staci Cutchen of
Conwin converse during a break.                                       Inflated Greetings attend the conference.
                                                                                      Robin Porter of Classic Balloons looks on.

With over fifty IBA members in attendance, the General Business meeting was conducted by Lee Kaufman, President, who presented a review of IBA activities over the past two years. Lee then presided over election of the 2008-09 Board of Directors followed by discussion from the floor on critical industry issues.

            
President Lee Kaufman reviews accomplishments.          Board members preside over General meeting.


Newly elected IBA President, Elissa Mast of E&R Sales, confers with Jon McLain, Anagram, at the break.

The Conference concluded on Saturday night with fine dining along with fun and games as Tracy Terrace of Aerial Bouquets conducted a balloon industry trivia contest throughout the evening. IBA logoed hoodies were handed out as prizes and everyone went home with a memento of the 2008 IBA Annual Conference.